Washing machine

ABSTRACT

A washing machine includes a cabinet constituting the external appearance of the washing machine, a tub mounted in the cabinet for receiving wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be washed, a circulation unit for circulating wash water in the inner lower part of the tub through the upper part of the tub, and at least one circulation nozzle for spraying the wash water, supplied by the circulation unit, inwardly of the drum along a rotation axis of the drum in a longitudinal direction of the drum. According to the present invention, it is possible to improve washing or rinsing efficiency of the washing machine.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No.10-2008-0032525, filed on Apr. 8, 2008, which is hereby incorporated byreference in its entirety as if fully set forth herein.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a washing machine, and moreparticularly, to a washing machine with improved washing or rinsingefficiency.

2. Discussion of the Related Art

Washing machines may generally be classified as a top loading typewashing machine or a front loading type washing machine. An example ofthe front loading type washing machine is a drum type washing machine.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of adrum type washing machine, and FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of FIG.1.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum type washing machine includes a tub20 mounted in a cabinet 10 for receiving wash water and a drum rotatablymounted in the tub 20. Wash water is received in the tub 20, and laundryto be washed is received in the drum 30. In the drum type washingmachine, the drum 30 is rotated so that the laundry is lifted anddropped by lifters 32, and therefore, the laundry is washed or rinsed.

In this case, the wash water is received in the tub 20, and therefore,when the drum 30 is rotated, only the lower part of the drum 30 isimmersed in the wash water. Consequently, as shown in the drawings, thedrum type washing machine may further include a circulation unit 40 forcirculating wash water received in the lower part of the tub 20.

The circulation unit 40 includes a circulation line 42 connected betweenthe upper and lower parts of the tub 20 and a circulation pump 44 forpumping wash water along the circulation line 42. Also, a nozzle 46 ismounted at one end of the circulation line 42 for supplying wash waterinto the tub 20.

The tub 20 is connected to an opening 60 of the cabinet 10 via a gasket50 for preventing the leakage of wash water from the tub 20. The nozzle46 is provided at the gasket 50. Also, the gasket 50 includes a jampreventing member 52 for preventing laundry to be washed from beingjammed between the tub 20 and the drum 30.

However, with the nozzle 46, most of the circulation water, suppliedfrom the nozzle 46, is supplied only to the front part of the drum 30,and not to the rear part of the drum 30. Although the circulation wateris supplied to the drum 30, therefore, the circulation water is suppliedto only the front part of the drum 30, with the result that thecirculation water is not uniformly supplied to the laundry to be washed.

Also, the gasket 50 is made of an elastic member, such as rubber.Consequently, when a large amount of laundry to be washed is received inthe drum 30, especially when the laundry is received in the drum 30together with water, the tub 20 may slightly droop, with the result thatthe gasket 50 is deformed. Therefore, the circulation water suppliedfrom the nozzle 46 supported by the drooping gasket 50 is not suppliedin the appropriate directions.

Furthermore, the gasket 50 is provided with the jam preventing member52, with the result that the assembly process of the gasket 50 iscomplicated and difficult, and, in addition, the time necessary tomanufacture the gasket 50 increases.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a washing machine thatsubstantially obviates one or more problems due to limitations anddisadvantages of the related art.

An object of the present invention is to provide a washing machine thatis capable of supplying circulation water in predetermined directions.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a washing machinethat is capable of supplying circulation water along the inside of adrum in a longitudinal direction of the drum, thereby improving washingor rinsing efficiency.

Additional advantages, objects, and features of the invention will beset forth in part in the description which follows and in part willbecome apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art uponexamination of the following or may be learned from practice of theinvention. The objectives and other advantages of the invention may berealized and attained by the structure particularly pointed out in thewritten description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings.

To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with thepurpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, awashing machine includes a cabinet constituting the external appearanceof the washing machine, a tub mounted in the cabinet for receiving washwater, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub for receiving laundry to bewashed, a circulation unit for circulating wash water in the inner lowerpart of the tub through the upper part of the tub, and at least onecirculation nozzle for spraying the wash water, supplied by thecirculation unit, inwardly of the drum along a rotation axis of the drumin a longitudinal direction of the drum.

In another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes atub mounted in a cabinet for receiving wash water, a drum rotatablymounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be washed, a circulationunit for circulating wash water in the inner lower part of the tubthrough the upper part of the tub, a first nozzle for spraying the washwater, supplied by the circulation unit, inwardly of the drum along arotation axis of the drum in the longitudinal direction of the drum, anda second nozzle for spraying the wash water inwardly of the drum in aspray direction different from the first nozzle.

In another aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includes atub mounted in a cabinet for receiving wash water, a drum rotatablymounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be washed, a circulationunit for circulating wash water in the inner lower part of the tubthrough the upper part of the tub, a first nozzle for spraying the washwater, supplied by the circulation unit, inwardly of the drum along arotation axis of the drum in the longitudinal direction of the drum, asecond nozzle for spraying the wash water inwardly of the drum in aspray direction different from the first nozzle, a steam generator forgenerating steam to be supplied into the drum, and a steam nozzle forspraying the steam, supplied from the steam generator, into the drum.

In a further aspect of the present invention, a washing machine includesa tub mounted in a cabinet for receiving wash water, a drum rotatablymounted in the tub for receiving laundry to be washed, a circulationunit for circulating wash water in the inner lower part of the tubthrough the upper part of the tub, a first nozzle for spraying the washwater, supplied by the circulation unit, inwardly of the drum along arotation axis of the drum in the longitudinal direction of the drum, asecond nozzle for spraying the wash water inwardly of the drum in aspray direction different from the first nozzle, a steam generator forgenerating steam to be supplied into the drum, and a steam nozzle forspraying the steam, supplied from the steam generator, into the drum,the steam nozzle being integrated with the first nozzle or the secondnozzle.

It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description andthe following detailed description of the present invention areexemplary and explanatory and are intended to provide furtherexplanation of the invention as claimed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a furtherunderstanding of the invention and are incorporated in and constitute apart of this application, illustrate embodiment(s) of the invention andtogether with the description serve to explain the principle of theinvention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating the internal structure of adrum type washing machine;

FIG. 2 is a side sectional view of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a circulation nozzle of awashing machine according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating the supply of circulation waterfrom the circulation nozzle of FIG. 3 into a drum;

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a circulation nozzle of awashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view illustrating the circulationnozzle according to any one of the previous embodiments separated from atub;

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the internal structure of awashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating a circulation nozzle of FIG. 7 whenviewed from above;

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the internal structure of awashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a dual nozzle of a washingmachine according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred embodiments of thepresent invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanyingdrawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be usedthroughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a circulation nozzle that iscapable of supplying circulation water along the inside of a drum 30 ina longitudinal direction of the drum 30 in a washing machine accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. Meanwhile, components of thewashing machine according to the embodiment of the present inventionidentical to those of the drum type washing machine of FIGS. 1 and 2will not be described hereinafter, and only the features of the washingmachine according to the embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed.

The washing machine according to the embodiment of the present inventionincludes a cabinet 10 constituting the external appearance of thewashing machine, a tub 20 mounted in the cabinet 10 for receiving washwater, a drum 30 rotatably mounted in the tub 20 for receiving laundryto be washed, a circulation unit 40 for circulating wash water in theinner lower part of the tub 20 through the upper part of the tub 20, andat least one circulation nozzle 100 for spraying the wash water,supplied by the circulation unit 40, inwardly of the drum 30 along arotation axis of the drum 30 in a longitudinal direction of the drum 30.

In the washing machine according to the embodiment of the presentinvention, at least one circulation nozzle 100 is provided to supply thecirculation water circulated by the circulation unit 40. Also, in thewashing machine according to the embodiment of the present invention,the circulation nozzle 100 supplies the circulation water inwardly ofthe drum 30 along the rotation axis of the drum 30 in the longitudinaldirection of the drum 30. FIG. 4 is a schematic view illustrating thesupply of circulation water from the circulation nozzle 100 according tothis embodiment into the drum 30 in the longitudinal direction of thedrum 30.

As shown in FIG. 4, the circulation nozzle 100 according to thisembodiment supplies the circulation water not only to the front part ofthe drum 30 but also along the rotation axis of the drum 30 in thelongitudinal direction of the drum 30. The circulation water is suppliedfrom the front of the drum to the rear of the drum at the interiorthereof such that the wash water is uniformly supplied to laundry to bewashed in the drum 30. Consequently, the laundry is uniformly wetted bythe wash water, whereby washing or rinsing efficiency is improved.

The improvement of the washing or rinsing efficiency is more remarkablewhen a washing or rinsing operation is performed in a penetration typewashing mode. Here, the penetration type washing mode is a washing modein which a washing or rinsing operation is carried out while the drum 30is rotated at high speed, not at a normal rotation speed of the drum,such that laundry clings to the inner circumference of the drum 30. Inthis case, wash water contained in the laundry penetrates the laundry bya centrifugal force, and is then discharged out of the drum 30, duringthe washing or rinsing operation.

In the penetration type washing mode, however, the drum is rotated athigh speed as compared to a rotation speed in the normal washing mode.Consequently, it is preferred for wash water to be supplied such thatthe wash water is maintained at a water level lower than the gap betweenthe tub 20 and the drum 30, and therefore, a rotation resistance forceis not applied to the drum 30 due to the wash water received in the tub20.

Meanwhile, the wash water may be circulated to the upper part of thedrum 30 and the tub 20 by the circulation unit 40 such that the washwater can be continuously supplied into the drum 30. The supplied washwater penetrates the laundry by the high-speed rotation of the drum 30,is discharged out of the drum 30, is received at the bottom of the tub20 along the inner wall of the tub 20, is circulated to the upper partof the drum 30 and the tub 20, and is then supplied into the drum 30.

Consequently, when the wash water is supplied to the rear part of thedrum 30 in the longitudinal direction of the drum 30 by the circulationnozzle 100 according to this embodiment, the circulation water isuniformly supplied to the laundry to be washed, with the result thatwashing efficiency is further improved in the penetration type washingmode in which the drum 30 is rotated. When a washing or rinsingoperation is carried out not in the penetration type washing mode, butin the normal washing mode, on the other hand, it is possible touniformly supply the circulation water to laundry to be washed throughthe circulation nozzle 100 according to this embodiment, with the resultthat the washing or rinsing operation is carried out while the laundryis sufficiently immersed in the wash water, and therefore, it ispossible to improve washing or rinsing efficiency.

Hereinafter, the circulation nozzle 100 provided in the washing machineaccording to this embodiment will be described in detail with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

Referring back to FIG. 3, the circulation nozzle 100 in the washingmachine according to this embodiment may be configured to spray washwater not only to the front part of the drum 30 but also in thelongitudinal direction of the drum 30 such that the wash water reachesthe rear part of the drum 30. Preferably, the circulation nozzle 100 isconfigured to spray the wash water into the drum 30 in a plurality ofdirections such that the wash water can be uniformly supplied to thelaundry received in the drum 30.

Consequently, the circulation nozzle 100 according to this embodimentmay be configured to have a plurality of spray ports 110 directedinwardly of the drum 30. The respective spray ports 110 may beconfigured to spray the wash water to different drop positions in thelongitudinal direction of the drum 30. Specifically, the respectivespray ports 110 may be configured to spray the wash water to differentpositions at predetermined intervals from the front to the rear of thedrum 30. As a result, the wash water is supplied in the longitudinaldirection of the drum 30 while uniformly spreading from the front to therear of the drum 30.

Consequently, the laundry clinging to the inner circumference of thedrum 30 during the washing or rinsing operation is supplied with washwater while being rotated along with the drum 30. Also, even when thedrum 30 is not rotated, and therefore, the laundry gathers at the lowerpart of the drum, it is possible to uniformly supply the wash water tothe laundry.

Although not shown in the drawings, on the other hand, it is possible toprovide a plurality of circulation nozzles each having a single sprayport to spray wash water into the drum 30. When the plurality ofcirculation nozzles each having the single spray port are installed,however, the assembly process may be difficult. Consequently, as shownin FIG. 3, the circulation nozzle 100 according to this embodiment maybe configured in a structure in which a plurality of spray ports areformed on a single case.

Meanwhile, the circulation nozzle 100 may be mounted at the front of thedrum 30 where an opening of the drum 30 is formed. In this case, spraydirections or spray speeds of the wash water sprayed from the respectivespray ports 110 are preferably set to be different from each other sothat the wash water is sprayed to different positions from the front tothe rear of the drum 30 through the respective spray ports 110.Consequently, the spray ports 110 of the circulation nozzle 100preferably have different cross-sectional areas or different flowchannels.

Specifically, it is possible to configure the circulation nozzle 100such that the spray ports 110 of the circulation nozzle 100 havedifferent cross-sectional areas, and therefore, the wash water sprayedthrough the respective spray ports 110 have different water pressures.Here, on the assumption that the wash water passes through the flowchannels having the same configuration, the smaller the cross-sectionalareas of the spray ports 110 are, the higher the water pressure the washwater is sprayed at. The larger the cross-sectional areas of the sprayports 110 are, the lower the water pressure the wash water is sprayedat. Consequently, the wash water sprayed at the low water pressurethrough the spray ports of large cross-sectional areas is sprayed insuch a manner that the wash water falls immediately after the spray ofthe wash water. On the other hand, the wash water sprayed at the highwater pressure through the spray ports of small cross-sectional areastends to go straight in the direction in which the wash water issprayed.

Consequently, the spray ports of the large cross-sectional areas areprovided to supply the wash water to the front of the drum 30, and thespray ports of the small cross-sectional areas are provided to supplythe wash water to the rear of the drum 30.

Specifically, in the circulation nozzle 110 according to thisembodiment, the spray ports 110 formed in the direction indicated by anarrow (a) may have small cross-sectional areas, and the spray ports 110formed in the direction indicated by an arrow (b) may have largecross-sectional areas. Consequently, the spray ports 110 formed in thedirection indicated by an arrow (a) spray the wash water at high waterpressure, and the spray ports 110 formed in the direction indicated byan arrow (b) spray the wash water at low water pressure.

Furthermore, the spray ports 110 of the circulation nozzle 100 may beconnected to different flow channels 120. Consequently, the spray speedsof the wash water sprayed through the respective spray ports 110 of thecirculation nozzle 110 may be different from one another.

Specifically, the circulation nozzle 100 may be provided with aplurality of flow channels, through which wash water, introduced fromthe circulation unit 40, passes. The respective flow channels 120 may beformed to correspond to the spray ports 110. Also, the flow channels 120may be different from one another such that the wash water passingthrough the respective flow channels 120 is sprayed at different speeds.

For example, the wash water passing through the flow channel 120 formedin the vertical direction may fall immediately to the front of the drum30. On the other hand, the wash water passing through the flow channel120 horizontally extending inwardly of the drum 30 has a speed componentdirected inwardly of the drum 30, and therefore, the wash water can besprayed to the rear of the drum 30. Consequently, when the spray port isconnected to the flow channel horizontally extending inwardly of thedrum 30, the spray port can supply the wash water to the rear of thedrum in the longitudinal direction of the drum. In conclusion, it ispossible to adjust the spray ports 110 such that the wash water falls todifferent positions of the drum 30 according to the speed components ofthe sprayed wash water. In this way, an entire strip/area from the frontof the drum 30 to the rear of the drum 30 is sprayed with wash water.

For example, as shown in FIG. 3, the flow channels 120 connected to thespray ports 110 formed in the direction indicated by the arrow (a) maybe formed to be horizontally extended inwardly of the drum 30 by arelatively longer distance, and the flow channels 120 connected to thespray ports 110 formed in the direction indicated by the arrow (b) maybe formed to be extended inwardly of the drum 30 by a relatively shorterdistance. In particular, it is possible to configure the spray ports 110such that the spray ports 110 are mounted in a step-shaped structure,and therefore, the lengths of the respective flow channels 120 extendinginwardly of the drum 30 are different from each other.

In conclusion, the spray ports 110 arranged in the direction indicatedby the arrow (a) are connected to the flow channels 120 havingrelatively small cross-sectional areas and horizontally extendinginwardly of the drum 30, and the spray ports 110 arranged in thedirection indicated by the arrow (b) are connected to the flow channels120 having relatively large cross-sectional areas and verticallyextending inwardly of the drum 30. Consequently, the wash water sprayedthrough the spray ports 110 arranged in the direction indicated by thearrow (a) is sprayed inwardly of the drum 30 at high water pressureswhile having horizontal speed components, with the result that the washwater is sprayed to the rear of the drum 30 in the longitudinaldirection of the drum 30. On the other hand, the wash water sprayedthrough the spray ports 110 arranged in the direction indicated by thearrow (b) has vertical speed components and low water pressures, withthe result that the wash water does not reach the rear of the drum 30,but is sprayed near the front of the drum 30.

In conclusion, it is possible for the circulation nozzle 100 accordingto this embodiment to uniformly spray the wash water from the front tothe rear of the drum 30 in the longitudinal direction of the drum 30.

FIG. 3 illustrates a supply line 105 for supplying the circulation waterto the flow channels 120 and the spray ports 110. Specifically, thecirculation water, circulated by the circulation unit 40, is supplied tothe supply line 105 along the circulation line 42, and is then suppliedto the flow channels 120 and the spray ports 110 through the supply line105.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a circulation nozzle 100 of awashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The circulation nozzle 100 according to this embodiment isdifferent from the previous embodiment in that the circulation nozzle100 has a single spray port to supply circulation water. Hereinafter,the difference between this embodiment and the previous embodiment willbe described.

Referring to FIG. 5, the circulation nozzle 100 according to thisembodiment sprays wash water through the single spray port 110. However,the circulation nozzle 100 may be provided with a flow channelconfigured in a structure in which the width of the flow channelgradually increases, and the height of the flow channel graduallydecreases, in the advance direction of the wash water passing throughthe circulation nozzle 100. Consequently, the wash water passing throughthe circulation nozzle 100 may be sprayed while spreading in the lateraldirection.

This uses a phenomenon in which, when water supplied at a regular waterpressure flows along a flow channel, the water widely spreads and issprayed at high water pressure while the water passes through a nozzleend, the width of which increases and the height of which decreases. Inthis structure, therefore, it is possible to supply the wash water intothe drum 20 in several directions, although the wash water is sprayedthrough the single spray port 110.

As shown in FIG. 5, the flow channel 120, formed in the circulationnozzle 100, is preferably configured in a shape in which thecross-sectional height of the flow channel 120 gradually decreases andthe width of the flow channel 120 gradually increases in the advancedirection of the wash water. Furthermore, it is preferred to form theflow channel 120 such that the cross-sectional area of the flow channel120 gradually decreases although the width of the flow channel 120gradually increases in the advance direction of the wash water.Consequently, the spray port 110, through which the wash water issprayed, is preferably formed in an elongated shape to define thesmallest cross-sectional area of the flow channel 120.

In this case, the cross-sectional area of the flow channel 120 in thecirculation nozzle 100 gradually decreases in the advance direction ofthe wash water, with the result that the water pressure of the washwater gradually increases. Consequently, the wash water is supplied intothe drum 30 at high water pressure while easily spreading in the lateraldirection of the flow channel 120.

In addition, guide ribs 130 may be mounted in the flow channel 120,along which the wash water flows, for guiding the spreading of the washwater in the lateral direction of the flow channel 120. The guide ribs130 are mounted in an inclined fashion in the advance direction of thewash water for guiding the wash water such that the wash water canuniformly spread in the lateral direction of the flow channel 120.

Meanwhile, when the circulation nozzle 100 according to this embodimentis mounted such that the spray port 110 is disposed parallel to thefront of the drum 30, the wash water may not be supplied to a specificposition in the drum 30, although the drum 30 is rotated. Consequently,the circulation nozzle 100 is preferably formed such that the spray port110 is inclined at a predetermined angle to the front of the drum 30.

Furthermore, the circulation nozzle 100 is preferably mounted in aninclined fashion toward the drum 30 such that the wash water sprayedfrom one end of the spray port is supplied to the lower front of thedrum 30, and the wash water sprayed from the other end of the spray portis supplied to the lower rear of the drum 30.

Meanwhile, the circulation nozzle 100 may be provided at the gasket 50(see FIG. 2), interconnecting the tub 20 and the door 60 (see FIG. 2),in any one of the washing machines according to the previousembodiments. In this case, however, it may be difficult to supply thecirculation water in predetermined directions due to the drooping of thetub 20 when laundry to be washed and wash water are received in the tub20.

Consequently, the circulation nozzle 100 according to each embodiment ispreferably directly provided in the tub 20. Specifically, if thecirculation nozzle 100 is directly mounted in the tub 20, it is possiblefor the circulation nozzle 100 to supply the circulation water inwardlyof the tub 20 in predetermined directions even when the tub 20 slightlydroops. Hereinafter, a detailed description thereof will be given withreference to the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view illustrating the installation of acirculation nozzle 100 to a tub 20 in a washing machine according toanother embodiment of the present invention.

Referring to FIG. 6, the circulation nozzle 100 may be directly mountedto the tub 20 in the washing machine according to this embodiment.Preferably, the circulation nozzle 100 is mounted adjacent to an openingof the tub 20 at the upper part of the tub 20. In other words, thecirculation nozzle is not mounted at the gasket as in the washingmachine of FIGS. 1 and 2, but is directly mounted to the tub 20, wherebyit is possible for the circulation nozzle 100 to supply circulationwater inwardly of the tub 20 and the drum 30 in predetermineddirections.

Specifically, a hole 22, connected to the circulation line 42, is formedat one side of the tub 20, i.e., at the upper side of the tub 20adjacent to the opening of the tub 20, and the circulation nozzle 100 ismounted below the hole 22. Here, the circulation nozzle 100 isdetachably connected to the tub 20. A boss 24 to which the circulationnozzle 100 is mounted may be formed at one side of the tub 20.Consequently, the circulation nozzle 100 is securely mounted to the boss24 by means of coupling members, such as bolts. Preferably, acirculation nozzle cover 26 is mounted at the outside of the circulationnozzle 100 for preventing the separation of the circulation nozzle 100from the tub 20.

The circulation nozzle 100 may protrude from the tub 20 inwardly of thedrum 30. When the circulation nozzle 100 protrudes inwardly of the drum30, laundry to be washed is prevented from jamming between the drum 30and the tub 20, during the rotation of the drum 30. That is, in thisembodiment, the circulation nozzle 100 is mounted to the tub 20 in aprotruding fashion, whereby it is possible for the circulation nozzle100 to supply wash water in predetermined directions, and, at the sametime, it is possible to prevent the laundry to be washed from jammingbetween the drum 30 and the tub 20.

The above-described circulation nozzle 100 is mounted to the tub 20 asfollows. A worker connects the supply line 105 of the circulation nozzle100 to the hole 22 formed at the tub 20 and couples the circulationnozzle cover 26 to the boss 24. As a result, the circulation nozzle 100is mounted to the tub 20. In this case, the circulation nozzle 100 maybe disposed along the front of the tub 20, as previously described.

Meanwhile, although not shown in the drawings, the washing machineaccording to any one of the previous embodiments may include a steamgenerator for selectively spraying steam into the drum 30.

The steam generator is supplied with water from an additional detachablewater supply source, such as a faucet or a cartridge. The steamgenerator heats the supplied water to generate steam, which will besupplied into the drum 30. In this case, a steam nozzle for sprayingsteam is preferably mounted at one end of a steam line, along which thesteam is supplied. The steam nozzle may be mounted at one side of thetub 20. Preferably, the steam nozzle is mounted adjacent to the openingof the tub 20.

Meanwhile, the washing machine according to any one of the previousembodiments may include a plurality of circulation nozzles, forcirculating wash water. When the plurality of circulation nozzles areprovided, the circulation water is supplied through the respectivecirculation nozzles, and therefore, it is possible to uniformly wetlaundry to be washed. Furthermore, it is possible to more effectivelyperform a washing or rinsing operation by changing spray directions ofthe circulation water supplied through the respective circulationnozzles.

Hereinafter, a detailed description thereof will be given with referenceto the accompanying drawings.

FIG. 7 is a schematic view illustrating the internal structure of awashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The washing machine according to this embodiment is differentfrom the previous embodiments in that the washing machine according tothis embodiment includes two or more circulation nozzles, preferably twocirculation nozzles, for circulating wash water in the tub 20 andspraying the wash water inwardly of the drum 30 and the tub 20.Hereinafter, the differenced will be described.

The washing machine according to this embodiment includes two or morecirculation nozzles for supplying the wash water inwardly of the drum 30and the tub 20 when the wash water received at the inner lower part ofthe tub 20 is supplied by the circulation of the wash water through theupper part of the tub 20. FIG. 7 illustrates that the washing machineincludes two circulation nozzles. However, the number of the circulationnozzles is not particularly restricted. For example, the washing machinemay include an appropriate number of circulation nozzles. Hereinafter,an embodiment of the washing machine including two circulation nozzleswill be described.

The washing machine according to this embodiment may include a firstnozzle 200 for spraying circulation water inwardly of the drum 30 alonga rotation axis of the drum 30 in the longitudinal direction of the drum30 and a second nozzle 210 for spraying the circulation water inwardlyof the drum 30 in a spray direction different from the first nozzle 200,when the circulation water is supplied by the circulation unit 40.

That is, the washing machine according to this embodiment includes thesecond nozzle 210 for spraying the circulation water inwardly of thedrum 30 in a spray direction different from the first nozzle 200 inaddition to the first nozzle 200 for supplying the circulation waterinwardly of the drum 30 in the longitudinal direction of the drum 30.According to this embodiment, therefore, it is possible to uniformlysupply the circulation water inwardly of the drum 30, thereby improvingwashing or rinsing efficiency.

The first and second circulation nozzles 200 and 210 according to thisembodiment may be directly mounted in the tub 20 in a manner similar tothe previous embodiments. Preferably, the first and second circulationnozzles 200 and 210 are mounted adjacent to the opening of the tub 20. Amethod of directly mounting the first and second circulation nozzles 200and 210 to the tub 20 will not be described, because this method isidentical to the method of directly mounting the circulation nozzle 100to the tub 20, which was previously described.

In this embodiment, meanwhile, the number of the circulation nozzles istwo. When the circulation nozzles are directly mounted to the tub 20,both of the circulation nozzles may be located at one side of the upperpart of the tub 20. Preferably, however, the two circulation nozzles arepreferably mounted at the tub 20 such that the circulation nozzles aresymmetrical to each other the middle of the upper part of the tub 20.That is, as shown in FIG. 7, the first nozzle 200 and the second nozzle210 may be disposed at opposite sides from the middle of the upper partof the tub 20.

In this case, the circulation line 42, extending from the circulationunit 40, may diverge from a predetermined position above the tub 20.Although not shown in the drawing, a valve may be mounted at thediverging point of the circulation line 42 for selectively supplying thecirculation water to the first circulation nozzle 200 or the secondcirculation nozzle 210 or supplying the circulation water to both thefirst circulation nozzle 200 and the second circulation nozzle 210.

Meanwhile, the first circulation nozzle 200, according to thisembodiment, for supplying the circulation water inwardly of the drum 30in the longitudinal direction of the drum 30 has a construction similarto the circulation nozzle according to any one of the previousembodiments, and therefore, a detailed description thereof will not begiven. Also, the second circulation nozzle 210 for supplying thecirculation water in the direction different from the first circulationnozzle 200 may have the same construction as the first circulationnozzle 200. Alternatively, the second circulation nozzle 210 may havethe same construction as an ordinary circulation nozzle.

When a plurality of circulation nozzles, for example two circulationnozzles, are provided, as shown in FIG. 7, the respective circulationnozzles are preferably located such that the respective circulationnozzles are directed inwardly of the drum in different directions.

For example, the first nozzle 200, which supplies the circulation waterinwardly of the drum 30 in the longitudinal direction of the drum 30,may be disposed such that the first nozzle 200 is directed toward thecenter of the drum 30, and the second nozzle 210 may be disposed suchthat the second nozzle 210 is directed in the direction different fromthe first nozzle 200. That is, the first nozzle 200 supplies thecirculation water inwardly of the drum 30 in the longitudinal directionof the drum 30, and therefore, it is preferred to dispose the firstnozzle 200 such that the first nozzle 200 is directed toward the centerof the drum 30 to uniformly supply the circulation water from the frontto the rear of the drum 30. Moreover, the second nozzle 210 may bedisposed such that the second nozzle 210 is directed in the directiondifferent from the first nozzle 200. In this embodiment, the secondnozzle 210 may be disposed such that the second nozzle 210 is directedtoward the entrance of the drum 30. Consequently, the circulation watersprayed through the second nozzle 210 may be supplied to the entrance ofthe drum 30, and the circulation water sprayed through the first nozzle200 may be supplied to the center of the drum 30 in the longitudinaldirection of the drum 30. As a result, the circulation water isuniformly supplied throughout the drum 30, whereby washing or rinsingefficiency is improved.

Meanwhile, when the first circulation nozzle 200 and the secondcirculation nozzle 210 are mounted such that the first circulationnozzle 200 and the second circulation nozzle 210 are symmetrical to eachother from the middle of the upper part of the tub 20, flow channelsconnected to the spray ports of the first nozzle 200 are preferablyformed in directions corresponding to positions where the wash waterfalls.

FIG. 8 is a plan view illustrating the first circulation nozzle 200 whenthe first circulation nozzle 200 is mounted while being biased towardone side from the middle of the upper part of the tub 20. As the firstcirculation nozzle 200 is mounted while being biased toward one sidefrom the middle of the upper part of the tub 20, as shown in FIG. 8, thespray ports and the flow channels of the first circulation nozzle 200may be inclined at a predetermined angle to the open front of the drum30. In particular, it is preferred for the spray ports formed atpositions far from the center of the drum 30 to be mounted inwardly ofthe drum 30.

In this embodiment, when the first circulation nozzle 200, is mounted ata position 35 to 45 degrees biased from the center of the tub 20, thesection of the first circulation nozzle 200, where the spray ports areformed, may be inclined at an angle of 5 to 10 degrees to the open frontof the drum 30. As a result, the wash water sprayed through the firstcirculation nozzle 200 is sprayed toward the lower end of the drum 30 inthe longitudinal direction of the drum 30. However, the inclinationangle may be changed depending upon the position where the firstcirculation nozzle 200 is installed. Also, the inclination angle may bechanged within a predetermined range depending upon the water pressureof the sprayed wash water or an angle at which flow channels 220 areformed.

Meanwhile, the first nozzle 200 is disposed as described above, it ispreferred that the water pressure of the circulation water sprayedthrough the first nozzle 200 be higher than that of the circulationwater sprayed through the second nozzle 210. This is because thecirculation water sprayed through the second nozzle 210 is supplied tothe entrance of the drum 30, and therefore, the supply of thecirculation water is satisfactorily achieved although the water pressureof the circulation water is low; however, the circulation water sprayedthrough the first nozzle 200 is supplied from the front to the rear ofthe drum 30 in the longitudinal direction of the drum 30, and therefore,the uniform supply of the circulation water is not achieved unless thewater pressure of the circulation water is high.

Consequently, it is preferred to adjust the water pressure of thecirculation water supplied to the first nozzle 200, such that the waterpressure of the circulation water supplied to the first nozzle 200 ishigher than that of the circulation water supplied to the second nozzle210, by adjusting the sectional area of the circulation line 42 adjacentto the first nozzle 200, such that the sectional area of the circulationline 42 adjacent to the first nozzle 200 is less than that of thecirculation line adjacent to the second nozzle 210, or providing anadditional pump at a position adjacent to the first nozzle 200.

FIG. 9 is a schematic view illustrating the internal structure of awashing machine according to another embodiment of the presentinvention. The washing machine according to this embodiment is differentfrom the previous embodiment shown in FIG. 8 in that the washing machineaccording to this embodiment further includes a steam generator forsupplying steam into the drum 30. Hereinafter, the difference will bedescribed.

Referring to FIG. 9, the washing machine according to this embodimentmay further include a steam generator 70 for selectively supplying steaminto the drum 30.

The steam generator 70 is supplied with water from an additionaldetachable water supply source, such as a faucet or a cartridge. Thesteam generator 70 heats the supplied water to generate steam, whichwill be supplied into the drum 30.

In this case, a steam nozzle 74 for spraying steam is preferably mountedat one end of a steam line 72, along which the steam is supplied. Thesteam nozzle 74 may be mounted at one side of the tub 20. Preferably,the steam nozzle 74 is mounted adjacent to the opening of the tub 20.

In the washing machine according to this embodiment, meanwhile, thesteam nozzle 74 may be mounted while being biased toward one side fromthe middle of the upper part of the tub 20. FIG. 9 illustrates the steamnozzle 74 being biased toward the second circulation nozzle 210.However, the installation position of the steam nozzle 74 is notparticularly restricted. For example, the steam nozzle 74 may be mountedwhile being biased toward the first circulation nozzle 200.

Meanwhile, when the steam nozzle 74 is mounted while being biased towardthe first circulation nozzle 200 or the second circulation nozzle 210,the steam nozzle 74 and the first circulation nozzle 200 or the secondcirculation nozzle 210 may be provided separately from each other.Preferably, however, the steam nozzle 74 is integrated with either thefirst circulation nozzle 200 or the second circulation nozzle 210.

That is, when the steam nozzle 74 is not separately provided but isintegrated with the first circulation nozzle 200 or the secondcirculation nozzle 210 adjacent to the steam nozzle 74, it is possibleto achieve easy installation and assembly.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view illustrating a dual nozzle in which thesteam nozzle and the second circulation nozzle are integrated with eachother. However, the present invention is not limited to thisconstruction. For example, the integration between the steam nozzle andthe first circulation nozzle is also possible.

Referring to FIG. 10, the steam nozzle 74 and the second circulationnozzle 210 are integrated to constitute a dual nozzle 300, which ismounted adjacent to the opening of the tub 20. The dual nozzle 300 maybe detachably mounted to the tub 20. Preferably, the dual nozzle 300 ismounted to the tub 20 as shown in FIG. 6.

That is, two holes (not shown) are formed adjacent to the opening of thetub 20, and a steam line and a diverging circulation line 42 areconnected to each hole, such that steam and circulation water aresupplied to the steam nozzle 74 and the second circulation nozzle 210.

When the steam nozzle 74 and the second circulation nozzle 210 areintegrated to constitute the dual nozzle 300, as described above, it ispossible to more easily assemble the washing machine according to thisembodiment within a short time.

Specifically, the dual nozzle 300 may include a connection part 310connected to the tub 20 and a nozzle cover 320 defining a space wherethe steam nozzle 74 and the second circulation nozzle 210 are installedbetween the connection part 310 and the nozzle cover 320. Consequently,the steam nozzle 74 and the second circulation nozzle 210 are disposedbetween the connection part 310 and the nozzle cover 320, and theconnection part 310 and the nozzle cover 320 are mounted to the tub 20.As a result, the dual nozzle 300 is mounted to the tub 20.

Meanwhile, a guide member 322 may be mounted at the inside of the nozzlecover 320 for preventing steam and circulation water from mixing witheach other when the steam and the circulation water are supplied throughthe steam nozzle 74 and the second circulation nozzle 210, respectively.When both the steam and the circulation water are supplied through thesteam nozzle 74 and the second circulation nozzle 210, respectively, theguide member 322 prevents the steam from condensing by the contact withthe circulation water.

As apparent from the above description, the washing machine according tothe present invention is constructed in a structure in which thecirculation nozzle is directly mounted in the tub. Consequently, thewashing machine according to the present invention has the effect ofsupplying circulation water inwardly of the drum in predetermineddirections.

Also, the washing machine according to the present invention isconstructed in a structure in which circulation water is suppliedinwardly of the drum in the longitudinal direction of the drum.Consequently, the washing machine according to the present invention hasthe effect of uniformly supplying circulation water to laundry to bewashed.

Also, the washing machine according to the present invention has theeffect of improving washing or rinsing efficiency by supplyingcirculation water inwardly of the drum in the longitudinal direction ofthe drum.

It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that variousmodifications and variations can be made in the present inventionwithout departing from the spirit or scope of the inventions. Thus, itis intended that the present invention covers the modifications andvariations of this invention provided they come within the scope of theappended claims and their equivalents.

1. A washing machine comprising: a cabinet; a tub provided in thecabinet for accommodating wash water therein; a drum rotatably providedin the tub for rotation about a generally horizontal axis and foraccommodating laundry to be washed; a circulation unit for circulatingwash water located in the inner lower part of the tub; and at least onecirculation nozzle for spraying the wash water supplied by thecirculation unit into the drum along the inside of the drum between afront portion of the drum and a rear portion of the drum.
 2. The washingmachine according to claim 1, wherein the at least one circulationnozzle is configured to spray the wash water from the front portion ofthe drum to the rear portion of the drum.
 3. The washing machineaccording to claim 1, wherein the at least one circulation nozzle isdirectly mounted at the tub.
 4. The washing machine according to claim3, wherein the at least one circulation nozzle is mounted adjacent to anopening of the tub at an upper part of the tub.
 5. The washing machineaccording to claim 3, wherein the at least one circulation nozzleprotrudes inwardly of the drum such that the at least one circulationnozzle prevents the laundry from being stuck between the tub and thedrum.
 6. The washing machine according to claim 3, further comprising: asteam generator for generating steam to be supplied into the drum; and asteam nozzle for spraying the steam supplied from the steam generatorinto the drum.
 7. The washing machine according to claim 6, wherein thesteam nozzle is directly mounted to an upper portion of the tub adjacentto an opening of the tub.
 8. The washing machine according to claim 1,further comprising a water outlet for supplying the wash water into thedrum in a direction different from the circulation nozzle.
 9. Thewashing machine according to claim 8, wherein the circulation nozzle andthe water outlet are directly mounted to the tub.
 10. The washingmachine according to claim 9, wherein the circulation nozzle and thewater outlet are mounted adjacent to an opening of the tub such that thecirculation nozzle and the water outlet are located symmetrical to eachother from the middle of the upper part of the tub.
 11. The washingmachine according to claim 8, wherein the circulation nozzle is directedtoward a center of the drum, and the water outlet is directed toward anentrance of the drum.
 12. The washing machine according to claim 11,wherein the water pressure of the wash water supplied to the circulationnozzle is higher than that of the wash water supplied to the wateroutlet.
 13. The washing machine according to claim 1, furthercomprising: a water outlet for supplying the wash water into the drum ina direction different from the circulation nozzle; a steam generator forgenerating steam to be supplied into the drum; and a steam outlet forsupplying the steam into the drum.
 14. The washing machine according toclaim 13, wherein the water outlet comprises a spray nozzle configuredto spray the wash water into the drum.
 15. The washing machine accordingto claim 13, wherein the steam outlet comprises a spray nozzleconfigured to spray the steam into the drum.
 16. The washing machineaccording to claim 13, wherein the circulation nozzle, the water outlet,and the steam outlet are directly mounted to the tub at an upper part ofthe tub adjacent to an opening of the tub.
 17. The washing machineaccording to claim 1, further comprising: a water outlet for supplyingthe wash water into the drum in a direction different from thecirculation nozzle; a steam generator for generating steam to besupplied into the drum; and a steam outlet for supplying the steam intothe drum, the steam outlet being formed as one body with one of thecirculation nozzle and the water outlet.
 18. The washing machineaccording to claim 17, wherein the circulation nozzle, the water outlet,and the steam outlet are directly mounted to the tub at an upper part ofthe tub adjacent to an opening of the tub.